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Going to breast from bottle after 3mos.

Hi all,

I am new here, but have been very encouraged by the posts I have read so far!

My LO is 5mos actual, 2mos corrected and has been bottle feeding for 3(ish) months. I would really like to establish a good breast feeding routine but am at a loss for how to start! Is there a slow process that anyone has found helpful to transition? I am open to any suggestions on how to initiate this. I have tried to BF before, and she has done pretty well with latching. I think I am going to try some self-latching techniques that I have read about, and some extra kangaroo time. Any other suggestions would be MORE than welcomed!

Re: Going to breast from bottle after 3m

Do you pump and bottle feed? Did she BF initially? Do you supplement with formula at all? While I don't have personal expirence with this I do want to say that I know you can do it! I am sure some other mommies will answer with more info but in the meantime check out kellymom.com there are some good tips on getting baby back to breast. One thing I CAN tell you is to make sure the bottles she is using during the transition are very very slow flow and as similar to breast as possible. With a wide base nipple. Good luck!!!

Re: Going to breast from bottle after 3m

My daughter was 7 weeks early, took 2 months to latch for even the first time, another month to do it with any regularity and another 2 months for us both to get it all right. It is totally possible!!

I think you have the right idea. You need to recreate that initial bonding experience. Take a day or two and lay around with your top off and baby in just a diaper. Let your baby find your breast. Make it a positive experience. Just cuddle, make the baby feel safe and secure. No stress. You can also try an SNS system, although I don't really have any experience with it. For me, I just picked a day, tossed the bottles and worked really hard. I cried a lot but she got it.

Re: Going to breast from bottle after 3m

Thanks for the encouragement ladies!

lovemygirlso1 -- Yep, I have been pumping since she was born in Sept. so she has been getting my milk from the first feed. We have had to supplement with some formula, but I feel like with breastfeeding she will probably want to eat a little more often, so hopefully the calories will even out. We found some special nipples from Medela called the "calma" nipple. I guess it has a vacuum system that mimics breastfeeding like you said above, and seems to work really well for helping a baby transition to the breast...I guess we will see! They were kind of expensive, but if they work they will have been worth it!

kst.7399 -- I bought an SNS system last night and it shipped today, so I am looking forward to trying it. Like I said before, she's actually done pretty well with latching which came as a major surprise to me. I think if she is consistently getting milk with the SNS she will start to associate me with food...at least that is the hope! Thanks for the snuggling suggestions! I def. tried that today and she seemed to like it! I couldn't tell if she was looking around for my breasts or not, but she seemed to at least like the snuggle.

Re: Going to breast from bottle after 3m

Yes I have heard great things about those bottles! I hope they help! I used a SNS system with my first daughter for just a few days while we were getting the hang of things and I found it really helpful. I bet she'll get the hang of it fast!